Farron attacks "wholly inadequate" plans to replace Post Offices in Backbarrow and Greenodd

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th May 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has today spoken out against Post Office Ltd plans for the Post Offices in Backbarrow and Greenodd, dubbing them "wholly inadequate." In a letter from the Post Office to one of Mr Farrons constituents, it was revealed that Post Office Ltd do not intend to upgrade Ulverston Post Office, despite persisting with plans to close the nearby branches in Greenodd and Leven Valley (Backbarrow); two branches which Mr Farron has fought hard to save. This has the potential to leave the people of Backbarrow and Greenodd not only without their own post offices but with no additional capacity at Ulverston to absorb the overspill.

Mr Farron said:

"Ulverston is the most likely alternative for the customers of the Leven Valley and Greenodd branches, and in addition to ignoring the huge distances people will now have to travel to use their nearest branch, Post Office Ltd is not proposing to upgrade Ulverston to cope with the closure of the two branches.

"The needs of rural areas must be taken seriously, and I shall be writing to Post Office Ltd to ensure that they do not repeat the mistake of ignoring the needs of rural areas."